Lexical Summary paidarion: Little child, young child, servant Original Word: παιδάριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance child, lad. Neuter of a presumed derivative of pais; a little boy -- child, lad. see GREEK pais NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindim. of pais Definition a little boy NASB Translation lad (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3808: παιδάριονπαιδάριον, παιδαρίου, τό (diminutive of παῖς, see γυναικάριον), a little boy, a lad: Matthew 11:16 Rec.; John 6:9. (Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, following; the Sept. very often for נַעַר, also for יֶלֶד; (παιδάριον of an adult youth, Tobit 6:2, etc. (cf. 11f)).) (Synonym: see παῖς, at the end.) Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong’s Greek 3808, paidarion, denotes a young boy or lad. The word evokes ideas of smallness, youthfulness, and social inconsequence, yet Scripture uses this solitary reference to highlight divine power working through what seems insignificant. Biblical Occurrence John 6:9 records: “Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what good are they for so many?”. The entire miracle of feeding about five thousand men, plus women and children, is initiated by the modest lunch of this unnamed lad. The focus is less on the child himself and more on the principle that God delights to employ humble means to accomplish His purposes. Historical Context of Young Boys in First-Century Judaism In first-century Galilee, a paidarion would have been under his father’s authority, learning a trade, and subject to legal restrictions that limited public agency. Children were valued but occupied a low rung in the social hierarchy (compare Matthew 19:13-15). A boy contributing supplies to adults was culturally unremarkable; yet Jesus made the lad’s provision the catalyst for a public sign, inverting social expectations and affirming the worth of children before God. Theological Themes 1. Divine Use of the Insignificant Practical Ministry Applications • Children as Participants, Not Mere Recipients Congregations often regard children primarily as objects of ministry. John 6:9 encourages recognition that God works through children’s acts of service, prayer, and witness. The narrative motivates believers to yield whatever they possess—time, talents, resources—trusting God to multiply them. Stewardship teaching can cite the paidarion as an example of open-handed generosity. Parents are reminded that ordinary provisions packed for daily needs can become instruments in God’s redemptive plan. Intentional discipleship at home prepares children to respond when the Lord calls. Related Biblical Motifs • Samuel the child prophet (1 Samuel 3:1-10) demonstrates God speaking to and through youth. Conclusion Paidarion appears only once, yet its single use illuminates a sweeping biblical principle: the Almighty chooses the small, weak, and overlooked to magnify His glory. The lad in John 6 stands as a perpetual reminder that surrendered resources, no matter how modest, become abundant in the hands of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations παιδάρια παιδάριά παιδαρίοις παιδαριον παιδάριον παιδάριόν παιδαρίου παιδαρίω παιδαρίων paidarion paidárionLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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